permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 8/13/2010 5:49 PM, LBUZZELL@aol.com wrote:
> Thanks, Lee. I think this is an important discussion.
>
> I wonder how this might be viewed not just from the viewpoint of "we
> Americans" but by the people being occupied?  When we approach a new
> permaculture design, don't we look at the land not only from our own point of 
>  view but
> also consider how our possible actions might be received by or impact
> other living beings who may have lived here long before we arrived?
>
> It seems clear from this ongoing dialogue that there are a wide variety of
> opinions on whether or not permaculturists should or should not work for
> the US  military.  All worth considering.  Perhaps some kind of consensus will
>   emerge...

Afgan villagers obviously have a longstanding agricultural and 
nutritional tradition accompanied by permaculture-like practices
involving architecture, livestock management, site management, roads, 
bridges, etc. and music! Considering the wars that continue in that 
country along with economic privation, the US Military would be well 
advised to offer aid and assistance in the form of hands-on instruction 
on the use of permaculture to provide sustenance and help stabilize 
their lives for the long term. Wouldn't it be better to do that rather 
than not? Who else should do it? Who would or could do it? There has 
been talk in this list over the years about forming a permaculture 
relief corps to provide direct assistance to the Afgan people, where 
they live,in urban and rural settings. Now there is such a group, it 
just isn't any of us.

If you question whether the Afgan people would want help from the US, in 
this form, then why not go to them and ask them instead of speculating 
on it. There are probably hundreds of discussion forums, blogs, Google 
searches, YouTube videos, FaceBook pages, websites, etc where one could 
find accurate information on Afgan villagers, how they live, what their 
needs are and what they would want from outsiders or Westerners if 
anything were offered to them.

Ethics, of course, and morality, faith, fairness and determination,
but this is a practical matter of saving and enhancing lives, an
on-the-ground scenario.